Who Is Liable in a Bus Accident?

In New York City, public transportation is a way of life – including city buses. In 2023 alone, the MTA provided 426 million bus rides to people in New York’s five boroughs. With more than 300 bus routes, taking the bus is a convenient way to get around the city.
Yet riding the bus isn’t without its share of dangers. If you are hurt in a bus crash, you might be able to file a lawsuit against the MTA, The New York City Transit Authority, a bus part manufacturer, or even another driver on the road. Through this type of personal injury lawsuit, you can recover financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
At The O’Connor Law Firm, we advocate for clients in Staten Island who have been hurt in all types of accidents. We offer free initial consultations and never charge a fee unless we recover money for you. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a Staten Island bus accident lawyer, reach out to our law offices today.
How Common Are Bus Crashes?
A bus is considered a commercial motor vehicle, or CMV. All CMVs are regulated by both federal and state law. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) not only regulates buses but tracks statistics related to buses and other CMVs.
According to the FMCSA, there were 927 bus crashes in New York state in 2024. 14 people were killed in these accidents, while another 1,586 people were injured.
Compared to the number of rides that the MTA and The New York City Transit Authority provide each year, this number may seem small – and it is. But the reality is that bus accidents are often far more dangerous than passenger vehicle crashes – and many more people are hurt at once. This is true for a few reasons:
- Buses are far bigger and heavier than other motor vehicles on the roadways. When a bus collides with another vehicle, it has the potential to do far more damage than a typical passenger vehicle – and cause more injuries.
- Buses are both tall and top-heavy. This design feature is necessary to transport large numbers of passengers (and their gear), but it makes buses more susceptible to rollover accidents.
- Passengers on buses are rarely – if ever – restrained with seat belts and other safety devices. This can lead to more serious injuries in the event of a collision.
In New York, there are a lot of buses on the road. On a typical day, you might see school buses, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) buses, New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) buses, private buses like Greyhound or Megabus, and tour buses. With so many buses on the road, the potential for an accident increases exponentially.
There are many different potential causes of Staten Island bus accidents. This includes:
- Poorly trained or unqualified drivers
- Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
- Distractions from passengers
- Driver fatigue
- Poor maintenance
- Speeding
If you were hurt in a bus accident, you might be able to file a personal injury claim against any party who is responsible for your injuries. Our Staten Island bus accident attorneys can help you get the compensation that you deserve for your accident.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Bus Accident?
Most personal injury cases are based on a theory of negligence, which is a type of carelessness. Sometimes, a claim may be brought when a person acts intentionally or recklessly – like a drunk driving accident. If you were in a bus accident that was caused by negligent, intentional, or reckless conduct, you could bring a claim against the at-fault party.
In a bus crash, you might be able to file a lawsuit against various parties, including:
- The bus driver;
- The bus company, including both government agencies like the MTA that operate buses as well as private operators;
- Bus manufacturers, if the crash was caused by a dangerous and defective part; and/or
- Other parties, such as a driver who ran a red light and collided with a bus.
The specific claim that you file will be based on the facts of your case. For example, if you can demonstrate that the MTA or NYCTA failed to terminate, retrain, or more closely supervise a bus driver despite multiple instances of careless driving, you could bring a lawsuit against the agency for its negligence.
Notably, bus companies are considered common carriers. A common carrier is a company or person that transports goods or people for a fee. Common carriers have a higher duty to their passengers, which means that they are required to use the highest level of care and diligence to protect passengers from harm. This duty includes everything from maintaining vehicles in good working condition and properly training its staff.
If you are hurt because a bus driver or company failed to live up to this high standard, then you can file a lawsuit against them – or potentially against other parties. For claims against government agencies like the MTA and NYCTA, there is a special procedure to follow. As an initial matter, you must file a Notice of Claim with the MTA or NYCTA within 90 days of the accident. There is also a shortened period (statute of limitations) to file a personal injury lawsuit – 1 year and 90 days compared to 3 years for claims against individuals and private companies.
At The O’Connor Law Firm, we have significant experience navigating the intricacies of accident claims involving government entities. We are also skilled at investigating and analyzing cases to ensure that all at-fault parties are held responsible for their losses. For each case, we work hard to help our clients get maximum compensation for their injuries.
Hurt in a Bus Accident? Reach Out Today.
Buses are an important part of the New York City public transportation infrastructure. Whether you rely on a bus to get to work, to school, or to travel to the city, you expect to get to your destination safely. If you are in a bus crash, we can help you file a personal injury claim against the bus company and other parties to help you get compensation for your losses.
The O’Connor Personal Injury Firm represents clients who have been hurt in bus accidents, subway accidents, motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and other types of accidents. We work hard to help you get the money that you deserve for your losses. To learn more or to set up an appointment with a Staten Island bus accident attorney, give us a call at 866-927-3809 or fill out our online contact form.